You can see a physio without a referral. Medicare plans, DVA and some claims work differently. Here is what the official pages say.
In Australia you can book a physiotherapist yourself. The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) describes physios as first-contact practitioners, which means you do not need a GP referral to be assessed and treated. The word “referral” comes back when someone else is paying: Medicare, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), a work injury insurer, a car accident (CTP) insurer or the NDIS.
This guide separates two questions: can I be seen without a referral, and will my funder pay without one. We checked the rules below against the official government pages on 1 November 2026. They change, and some vary from claim to claim, so we say where to check with your insurer, claims manager or GP. If you are paying yourself or claiming on private cover, start with our page on the health funds we claim.
At a glance
- Short answer: no referral is needed to see a physio privately
- Medicare: needs a GP chronic condition management plan and a GP referral, for up to 5 individual allied health services a calendar year
- DVA: needs a referral, which covers up to 12 sessions or one year, whichever ends first
- Work injury: your doctor may refer you; check with your claims manager first
- Car accident (CTP): ask the insurer before treatment; they respond within seven business days
- NDIS: the NDIS asks for evidence from your allied health professional
Can I see a physio without a referral?
Yes. The APA’s factsheet says that in Australia physiotherapists are already first-contact practitioners and you do not need a referral from a GP to seek care. It describes them as Ahpra-regulated (Ahpra is the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency), autonomous clinical practitioners who can assess, diagnose, treat and discharge a person without a medical referral, where appropriate.
If you are paying yourself, you can simply book. Everything below is about who else may pay, and what they ask for first.
Do I need a referral for Medicare-funded physio?
Yes. Medicare does not pay a rebate just because you chose to see a physio. The Medicare item for physiotherapy applies when you have a chronic condition and complex care needs that a GP is managing under a GP chronic condition management plan, the physio visit is recommended in that plan, and your GP has referred you.
What counts as a chronic condition?
One that has been, or is likely to be, present for at least six months, or is terminal. The Medicare notes say there is no list of eligible conditions. Your GP decides, using clinical judgement, whether a plan would help you.
How the plan and referral work
- Ask your GP whether a plan suits you. The Medicare notes say that if you are registered with a practice through MyMedicare, you access the plan through that practice.
- Since 1 July 2025 the referral is a signed, dated letter from your GP explaining why you are referred. It does not have to name a physio or a number of sessions, and you can take it to any physiotherapist (but not, for example, a chiropractor).
- It is valid for the time stated, or for 18 months from your first service if none is stated. The plan must have been prepared or reviewed in the last 18 months.
- Your physio sends your GP a written report after your first and last service.
How many sessions?
Up to 5 individual allied health services per calendar year (January to December), or up to 10 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. The five can all be physiotherapy or a mix, such as one dietitian visit and four podiatry visits, so they are shared across everyone you see under the plan.
What changed on 1 July 2025?
GP chronic condition management plans replaced GP management plans and team care arrangements. If you had an older plan and arrangement in place before 1 July 2025, you can keep using services consistent with them until 30 June 2027, and older referrals stay valid until their services are used. After that you will need a chronic condition management plan.
You cannot claim a Medicare benefit and a private health fund payment for the same service. Providers are expected to obtain your informed financial consent, so ask what you will pay before you start. Our bulk billing page explains how care plan sessions work at our clinic.
Do I need a referral for DVA physio?
Yes. DVA says you may receive physiotherapy if you have an assessed clinical need and a Veteran Card – All Conditions, or a Veteran Card – Specific Conditions with treatment for an accepted service-related condition. A referral can come from a GP, a medical specialist, a treating doctor in hospital or a hospital discharge planner.
Since 1 October 2019 a referral covers up to 12 sessions or one year, whichever ends first, and there is no limit to the number of treatment cycles. The cycle does not apply to physiotherapy for Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI) Veteran Card holders. DVA pays only for services from a DVA service provider and asks you not to pay your physio directly. See DVA physiotherapy at our clinic.
Do I need a referral for a work injury claim?
It depends on your claim. ReturnToWorkSA says that if you are injured at work, your doctor may refer you to a physiotherapist. At the first consultation the physio assesses your injury, decides what treatment you need and helps set goals for your recovery and return to work plan. The page adds that you can help your doctor and claims manager work out the most appropriate treatment plan. Approvals can vary between claims, so check with your claims manager before you book. See work injury physiotherapy.
Do I need a referral after a car accident?
Check with the insurer first. The CTP Insurance Regulator says that once your claim is accepted, the insurer pays for medical treatment that is reasonable and necessary and treats injuries caused by the accident, and its list of what can be included names physio or chiropractic treatment. In deciding what is reasonable and necessary, the insurer considers things such as whether your doctor recommends the treatment.
If you are unsure whether the insurer will pay, the Regulator advises contacting them before treatment, and says they respond to a funding request within seven business days. A note from your GP can help, but the insurer’s answer is the one that counts. See car accident physiotherapy.
What about the NDIS?
The NDIS lists physiotherapy among the therapy supports it can fund when they meet the NDIS funding criteria. It says you will need to give it evidence that the supports are right for you, and that this comes from your allied health professional. The page does not mention a GP referral. The provider must be registered with Ahpra or accredited by a relevant peak body. Your plan’s funding type can affect how you book and pay, so check with the NDIS, your plan manager or your support coordinator. See NDIS physiotherapy.
Do I need a referral to claim on private health extras?
At our clinic you do not need a referral to claim on your private health extras, and we claim on the spot. Other clinics and funds can differ, and every policy sets its own benefits and limits, so check with your fund.
Who needs what? A quick guide
| Pathway | Referral? | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Paying yourself, or private extras | No | Your fund sets its own limits |
| Medicare chronic condition plan | Yes, from your GP | Up to 5 services a calendar year |
| DVA | Yes | Up to 12 sessions or one year per referral |
| Work injury (ReturnToWorkSA) | Your doctor may refer you | Confirm with your claims manager |
| Car accident (CTP) | Ask the insurer | They respond within seven business days |
| NDIS | Evidence from your allied health professional | Check how your plan is managed |
What should I ask before I book?
- Who is paying: me, Medicare, DVA, an insurer, the NDIS or my health fund?
- Do I need a referral, an approval or a claim number first?
- How many sessions are covered, and what happens when they run out?
- What will I pay on the day, and what can I claim back?
- What should I bring, such as my referral, cards or claim details?
When to see a physio or doctor
You do not need to wait for a referral to get help. See a physio if pain has lasted more than a couple of weeks, keeps coming back, or is getting in the way of work, sleep or sport. See a GP or go to an emergency department promptly, or call 000 in an emergency, if you have:
- Severe pain, deformity or inability to use a limb after a fall or crash
- New weakness in an arm or leg, or numbness around the groin or inner thighs
- New difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels
- Severe night pain that keeps getting worse, especially with fever, unexplained weight loss or feeling very unwell
- Chest pain, shortness of breath or a sudden, severe headache
How UpPlus Physiotherapy helps
At UpPlus Physiotherapy in Seaton, we can talk through which pathway fits your situation when you book. We see patients under care plans, DVA, ReturnToWorkSA, CTP and the NDIS, each with its own paperwork. At your first visit we assess you, explain what we find and agree a plan with you.
Read more about persistent pain and osteoarthritis.
Finding a physio near me that accepts your referral
Ask the clinic before you book whether it accepts your type of referral or claim, and what you will pay. Our clinic is at 177 Trimmer Parade, Seaton, a short drive from Woodville, Findon, West Lakes, Grange and Henley Beach.
Physio take-home message
- You do not need a referral to see a physio. It matters when someone else is paying.
- Medicare needs a GP chronic condition management plan and a GP referral, for up to 5 services a year.
- DVA needs a referral, which covers up to 12 sessions or one year.
- Work injury and CTP claims vary, so ask your claims manager or insurer before you book.
- Rules change, so confirm with the official page, your insurer or your GP.
Not sure which pathway applies to you? Our team can talk it through before your first visit. Book online or call 0403 907 587.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for an individual assessment. If you are unsure about your symptoms, see a health professional.
